Loose Women star Judi Love was visibly emotional as she paid tribute to chef Dom Taylor.
A Loose Women star paid tribute to a colleague(Image: ITV)
Loose Women star Judi Love paid tribute to a colleague minutes into the ITV programme.
The comedian struggled to hold back tears as she was consoled by her co-stars.
Judi had returned to Loose Women following a brief absence, with fellow presenters Christine Lampard, Kelly Brook and Janet Street-Porter giving her a warm welcome back.
But she had some heartbreaking news to share with viewers. Judi began: “Life, highs and lows.”
She spoke about her recent tour, having sold out Hammersmith Apollo, saying: “That was amazing, it was such a beautiful night. As a comedian, that’s something that you dream of doing so actually doing it and selling out as a solo artist was phenomenal.”
She continued: “But life has its highs and it has its lows, and one of the lows that’s just only happened over the weekend is I lost a dear friend and a colleague, Dominic Taylor.”
Judi paid tribute to the “phenomenal” chef, who worked on her show, Our Table.
She said: “I remember first meeting him and tasting his food and it was amazing, it was a dream to work with him so when he said yes, that he would do my show, I was beyond happy,” reports the Express.
She added: “I just want to send my love to all of his close friends and his family, we’re here for you. We’ll never forget you, Dominic.”
Judi went on: “It reminds you to spend time with the ones you love and appreciate the small things so, it’s a beauty in the midst of all of that I’m back here with you.”
Tributes have been paid to TV chef Dom Taylor, who won Channel 4’s Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef in 2023, after he passed away “suddenly”, according to a statement released by his team.
Their statement added: “Dom was a visionary whose bold, joyful approach to celebrating the Caribbean cuisine of his childhood brought a fresh and exciting voice to London’s restaurant scene.
“His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food.
“His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food.”
Among those paying tribute in the comments, Fred Sirieix shared: “So sad.”
One fan wrote: “I didn’t know Chef Dom Taylor personally, but the meal I had at The Good Front Room at the Langham’s Palm Court for my birthday was unforgettable. Hearing this news has truly shocked me. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and all the patrons who loved his work. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Another added: “Dom gave me my first ever job/job in the cheffing world and taught me so much. So sad to hear this news and sending lots of love to family, friends, and staff during this heartbreaking time.”
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died on Saturday night at age 71 after a sudden, short illness, his office announced. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
July 12 (UPI) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly on Saturday night, two days after his 71st birthday, his office announced.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement posted to X.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday morning, which instead featured an interview with President Donald Trump, who said that he’d spoken with the senator on Saturday after he’d returned from Ukraine.
“Other than being tired, he was fine,” Trump said.
Graham, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, had already won South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary and now will have to be replaced on the ticket.
The state is expected to hold a special primary in the next few weeks so that voters can choose a new candidate.
Bonnie Tyler
Singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song “Believe in Me” during the dress rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Sweden, on May 17, 2013. Tyler, best known for her hit songs “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out For a Hero,” died at the age of 75 on July 8. Photo by Jessica Gow/EPA
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71. He died on Saturday evening following a “brief and sudden illness”, according to his office.
Elected to the Senate in 2002, the South Carolina politician was one of Washington’s most influential voices on foreign policy, often pushing for US military intervention overseas.
Donald Trump said Graham was a “true American Patriot” who would be “greatly missed”.
Graham had just returned from Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. There were no known health concerns ahead of his trip.
Graham was a staunch supporter of arming Kyiv and applying sanctions against Moscow. Zelensky said in a post on X, external that he was “deeply saddened” by his death.
“America and the world have lost a determined leader,” he added.
Graham’s relationship with the US president had evolved since Trump first ran for office.
In a CNN interview during his campaign for the presidency in 2015, Graham called Trump “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot”. The next year, he said: “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed… and we will deserve it.”
After the US Capitol riots in 2021, Graham gave a speech on the Senate floor in which he said: “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way.
“All I can say is a count me out. Enough is enough.”
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
President Donald Trump has left Turkey on an older VC-25A Air Force One jet. The U.S. Air Force’s new VC-25B Bridge aircraft had brought Trump to that country yesterday for the NATO Summit, but left without him on board earlier today. Trump had earlier confirmed that he would head from Turkey to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom on the VC-25A rather than the Bridge aircraft “for old time’s sake.” The Bridge aircraft, a modified, Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8i, flew to Mildenhall first. This is all highly unusual and has prompted questions about whether other factors, specifically changes in operational security, may be at play.
The VC-25A had followed the Bridge aircraft to the Turkish capital, Ankara, yesterday, as a backup. The change in planes follows a new round of U.S. strikes on Iran yesterday, which Trump reportedly ordered directly from the summit. Questions also continue to be raised about the full suite of communications, defensive, and other capabilities on the Bridge aircraft.
POTUS has just departed Turkey on the “Old Air Force” (VC-25A) Speculating if it will meet the new VC-25B Bridge in the UK for a fuel stopover and POTUS will return to Andrews on the VC-25B Bridge. pic.twitter.com/Xm4qOt52uq
“To honor our brave men and women of the Military, we are sending the brand new, and truly spectacular, Air Force One [the VC-25B Bridge aircraft] to Mildenhall Air Force Base, in the United Kingdom, to give them a chance to tour the Aircraft – Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first,” Trump wrote earlier today on his Truth Social site. “For old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall, a short trip that is totally worth doing in order to give our Great Military Heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force Fleet!”
“To honor our brave men and women of the Military, we are sending the brand new, and truly spectacular, Air Force One to Mildenhall Air Force Base, in the United Kingdom, to give them a chance to tour the Aircraft…” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Nf2qCGDKUs
While Trump referred to the VC-25As as “former” Air Force One aircraft in his Truth Social post, the Air Force has expressly confirmed to TWZ that they are set to remain in service and in the rotation despite the delivery of the Bridge jet. It’s also worth remembering that any Air Force aircraft that carries the President will use the Air Force One callsign.
RAF Mildenhall is a major hub for U.S. air operations and was heavily utilized to support strikes on Iran earlier this year. The President has also hinted that the Bridge aircraft may make stops elsewhere in Europe before returning home.
The VC-25B Bridge aircraft seen arriving at RAF Mildenhall today. Andrew McKelvey
“It’s flying to Europe to one of the big bases, two or three of the big bases, where we can show it to the people,” Trump also said at a press conference at the NATO summit today in response to a question about his travel plans. “We’ll be going home by normal methods.”
Q: But why aren’t you flying the new plane home?
TRUMP: Uh, it’s flying to Europe to one of the big bases where we can show it to the people. And we’ll be going home by uh normal methods pic.twitter.com/rWXV3bsGla
“We are boarding the old, big plane. No eyes on POTUS / no under wing gaggle.” Politico‘s Megan Messerly, a member of the press pool accompanying Trump, also shared before the VC-25A left Ankara. “We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed. See you on the other side.”
Travel pool note #25 // Wheels up 🛫
We are wheels up from Ankara as of 8:43 p.m. We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed. See you on the other side.
Megan Messerly POLITICO Wed. Jul. 8, 8:44 PM
— White House Press Pool Reports (@WHPressPool) July 8, 2026
Travel pool note #24 // Boarding AF1 ✈️
We arrived to Ankara Esenboga Airport at 8:25 p.m.
We are boarding the old, big plane. No eyes on POTUS / no under wing gaggle.
Megan Messerly POLITICO Wed. Jul. 8, 8:28 PM
— White House Press Pool Reports (@WHPressPool) July 8, 2026
As noted, President Trump traveled to the NATO summit aboard the VC-25B Bridge aircraft and with one of the Air Force’s two existing VC-25As in tow. This was the first time Trump had used the Bridge jet for an overseas trip. The President flew on the aircraft for the first time ever last week for a visit to North Dakota for events marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. A VC-25A was also used as a backup for that trip.
The Boeing VC-25B Bridge, Air Force One, carrying President Donald J. Trump has landed in Ankara, Turkey, ahead of this week’s NATO Summit. pic.twitter.com/Qqea5RihiM
As also mentioned, U.S. forces launched new strikes on Iran yesterday. “President Trump approved and ordered the Iran strikes from the NATO summit” after meeting “with senior U.S. officials in Ankara, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” according to a report from The New York Times, citing an unnamed U.S. official.
The latest U.S. strikes were in response to a new round of Iranian attacks on commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier today, Trump raised the prospect of further action against Iran tonight. This, in turn, has prompted new concerns about the possibility of the resumption of a large-scale conflict between the two countries, as you can read more about in TWZ‘s separate reporting here.
A key requirement for aircraft serving in the Air Force One role is ensuring the President remains securely in contact with top U.S. military leaders, as well as other senior officials, to be able to respond immediately to any serious contingency. This would be particularly important now, given the fluidity of the situation in the Middle East and the prospect of further military action against Iran in the very near term. Key planning efforts and other meetings are likely to be underway.
The new VC-25B Bridge aircraft, at left, and one of the older VC-25As, at right, seen together at Andrews Air Force Base ahead of flyovers over Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2026. USAF
The decision to strike Iran yesterday and the possibility of doing so again today may well have also had impacts on the overall force protection posture around Trump. The regime in Tehran has threatened Trump directly on multiple occasions in the past.
As an aside here, pictures now circulating on social media also show tractor-trailer trucks and tarps apparently being used to at least try to block the view of Mildenhall from a spot outside of the base’s perimeter where plane spotters regularly gather. Spotters have still been able to catch glimpses of the Bridge aircraft.
Defensive countermeasures, in particular, take time and careful work to integrate onto any airframe, let alone a newer type for which there might not be pre-existing procedures. Rigorous testing has to be done after integration to ensure those systems work as intended and do not conflict with other features, physically or in the radiofrequency spectrum. To date, there have been no visible signs of any of the obvious defensive systems installed on the VC-25As present on the VC-25B Bridge aircraft.
U.S. officials and L3Harris have repeatedly downplayed any operational security or other concerns surrounding the newest addition to the Air Force’s executive transport fleet, but questions remain. This has been just one aspect of the criticism and controversy surrounding the jet. The very circumstances surrounding its gifting to the U.S. government were highly irregular, and the justification for needing it at all remains a subject of debate.
Just yesterday, Breaking Defense reported that a group of 13 Democratic Senators, led by Connecticut’s Chris Murphy, had sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and L3Harris CEO Chris Kubasik asking for more information to address their ongoing concerns. The legislators contend that the Trump administration has been stonewalling their request so far, according to that story.
Another look at the VC-25B Bridge aircraft as it comes in to land at RAF Mildenhall today. Andrew McKelvey
For its part, Boeing has been working for years now to transform a pair of other 747-8is into fully-equipped VC-25B Air Force One jets. That program has been mired in delays and cost growth, and the first of these two jets is not expected to be delivered until 2029. The Air Force also now has an additional ex-Lufthansa 747-8i that it is using as a trainer for aircrew and ground personnel assigned to support the expanded VC-25 fleet. Another former Lufthansa 747 will be cannibalized for spare parts.
If nothing else, Trump has now flown overseas on the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft, but his trip today underscores that the older VC-25As are very much still available if needed.
Update: 7:02 PM ET –
The VC-25A carrying President Donald Trump has arrived at RAF Mildenhall.
“We just landed and met up with our new Air Force One, which was sent earlier to RAF Mildenhall, so we could show the wonderful Servicemembers, as per the entire Base’s request. They were very excited, picture enclosed,” Trump wrote in another post on Truth Social, which was also shared on other official White House social media accounts. “It was on our way back to the States from Turkey, with virtually no deviation of flightpath.”
One of the U.S. Air Force’s C-32A executive transport aircraft was also spotted arriving at RAF Mildenhall ahead of the VC-25A. The C-32A was later seen being moved from where it had been parked on the apron to make way for Air Force One.
Special thanks to local aviation photographer Andrew McKelvey for sharing his pictures of the VC-25B Bridge aircraft arriving at Mildenhall.
Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine got emotional on stage at BST Hyde ParkCredit: The SunThe 47-year-old fought back tearsCredit: The Sun
Adam told the crowd at BST Hyde Park, which is sponsored by Vodafone: “This band playing Hyde Park was one of his dreams for us. And we’re making it true now and it’s un-f***ing-believable.
“It’s bittersweet because he’s not here tonight. So, this of course goes out to Jordan, our friend. My friend since I was born.
“I think that some of these songs mean something different to every single person that appreciates them.
“I know that you’re all thinking of someone and all that energy, it kind of comes together, especially on a beautiful night.
“Take a look around you guys, it’s unbelievable. Look at all this, it’s crazy.”
Jordan guided the band since its launch in 1994 until his sudden death from a pulmonary thromboembolism, a blood clot in the lungs, almost nine years ago.
Memories, which was released in 2019, includes the lyrics, “here’s to the ones that we got, cheers to the wish you were here, but you’re not” and “toast to the ones here today, toast to the ones that we lost on the way”.
Speaking previously about his childhood friend and long-time manager, Adam said: “It was a tragedy foisted upon us and far and away one of the saddest moments of our lives, and personally of mine.
“This is a kid I’ve known since we were in diapers. He was one of the most important people in my life from a very early age.”
He closed out the rendition of Memories by pointing to the sky in honour of Jordan.
Adam’s emotional speech on behalf of the six-piece band was met with cheers.
It was a fitting moment during the nostalgic evening, which saw Maroon 5 perform their greatest old-time hits including Sunday Morning and She Will Be Loved.
One Republic,Jess Glynneand Ella Eyre had earlier performed throughout the day.
The lead singer of Maroon 5 made his late manager’s dream come trueCredit: GettyAdam’s the lead singer of the six-piece pop rock bandCredit: Getty
ROCK legend Jack White is heading for divorce court after wife Olivia Jean made explosive claims about their whirlwind marriage in newly filed legal documents.
Singer-songwriter Olivia accused her rocker husband of “inappropriate marital conduct” in the shocking divorce filing.
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Jack White and wife Olivia Jean pictured at SNL 50 on Sunday, February 16, 2025Credit: GettyJack White and Olivia Jean in the front row at Celine Mens Fall 2023 on February 10, 2023 in Paris, FranceCredit: Getty
The docs were submitted on June 3, with Olivia marking that same date as the couple’s official split after three years of marriage, TMZ first reported.
In the petition, she claimed Jack’s alleged behavior made “further cohabitation unsafe and improper,” though no additional details were outlined.
Olivia is also seeking spousal support, saying she relies on Jack financially to cover her bills, and has asked that she remain on his life insurance policy as the divorce moves forward.
The breakup marks the end of a wild relationship that played out as dramatically as it began.
Jack, 50, and Olivia, 36, infamously got engaged and married onstage in April 2022 during one of his concerts at Detroit’s Masonic Temple – in front of a stunned and confused crowd.
The spontaneous ceremony came after the pair performed The White Stripes hit Hotel Yorba together, with Jack dropping to one knee mid-show before a minister walked onstage moments later.
Their relationship had a long history far before the wedding bells rang.
Olivia, who signed to Jack’s Third Man Records in 2009, first met him through the music industry.
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Jack White at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special event on February 16, 2025 in New York CityCredit: GettyJack White performs onstage during the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Getty
She fronted gothic garage-rock band The Black Belles and later built a solo career while remaining close to Jack professionally.
The pair kept much of their romance under wraps, with Olivia later revealing they were friends for years before becoming a couple.
As for Jack’s personal life, the split adds another chapter to his famously complicated romantic history.
The rocker was first married to Meg White from 1996 to 2000 – and famously took her last name, which he still uses professionally.
The White Stripes members, Jack White and Meg White, pictured in Belgium in 2001Credit: GettyThe White Stripes perform on stage on day four of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 17, 2007 in Manchester, TennesseeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Even after divorcing, the pair continued performing together in The White Stripes and publicly maintained for years that they were siblings rather than ex-spouses.
He later married model and singer Karen Elson in 2005.
Their split in 2011 appeared amicable – so much so they threw a “divorce party” to celebrate the end of their marriage.
The exes share two children together: Scarlett and Henry.
Known for fiercely guarding his private life, the typically recluse Jack has rarely spoken publicly about his relationships, often insisting his music should speak louder than his personal drama.
Jack has not yet spoken out about Olivia’s claims but if his past is any indicator, he may once again let the music do the talking.
Witnesses say Lebanese citizens have been killed and Israeli soldiers wounded amid a new Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon. Social media video shows rockets and helicopters in the skies above Kfar Tebnit and Ali al-Taher.
Love Island’s George Knight has spoken about his exit from the show after the bombshell’s sudden departure just days into filming was finally aired on the ITV2 show
21:46, 08 Jun 2026Updated 21:47, 08 Jun 2026
George is no longer on Love Island(Image: ITV)
Love Island star George Knight has spoken about his sudden exit from the ITV2 show for the first time since his departure was aired. The bombshell decided to quit the villa just days after entering.
He said in an Instagram video: “Hello, everyone. Just wanted to take a moment and come on and say a massive, massive thank you to every single person who has reached out over the past two days, wishing me their love, their support, and all their well wishes.
“It has been completely overwhelming, and I am trying to get back to every message, which is pretty, pretty much impossible. But thank you so much.”
He continued: “And I think moments like this give you a massive kind of perspective on the bigger picture, and as fun and as great my six days in the villa were, it’s obviously important for me to be here with my family, so thank you so much.
“It’s, it’s been, as I said, completely overwhelming, and a massive thank you to all of ITV’s welfare team and the execs who have been amazing. Hopefully it’s not the last you see of me, and looking forward to the year ahead, and yeah, thanks again, guys.”
George was a day one bombshell, entering the villa alongside Yasmin Hadlow. But before the week was over, he had chosen to walk away from the show.
His exit was not shown on Love Island. Instead, the show decided to just portray its aftermath. OG Islander Lorenzo Alessi told his fellow contestants that George had decided to leave for “private reasons”. He said: “George has left the Villa for private reasons and won’t be coming back.”
The Islanders seemed shocked, particularly Robyn Langton, who had been getting to know George. The 21-year-old nsaid: “Aww, George, we love you!” The other Islanders clapped and in a VT, Robyn added: “I can’t believe it, I actually can’t believe it. He was the only person I was actually kind of interested in.”
After leaving the villa, George said on social media: “Family comes first, always. Leaving the @loveisland Villa was a decision made in order to be with my family. Out of respect for them, I’d prefer not to go into any further detail. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind messages and support! It genuinely means a lot.”
As well as his official Love Island headshot, he shared a picture of himself and his sister in his post. In the pic, he sat on a garden bench with Emma and their dog. In the comments, Emma wrote: “Love you George.”
Despite only being on the show for a small amount of time, George really shook things up in the villa. The 28-year-old footballer was tasked with choosing a boy to send home and opted for Samraj Toor, coupling up with Mica Harris as a result. However, Samraj and Ellie Chadwick, who was chosen to be dumped by Yasmin, were not sent home and instead re-emerged as bombshells, with the chance to confront George and Yasmin.
Despite being coupled with Mica, George and Robyn kissed. The day before he walked away from the villa, George and Robyn fought, as she felt he was mischaracterising the situation to the rest of the villa. Mica was also hurt and told George she was stepping back from getting to know him because she thought he was better suited to Robyn.
PATRICK Muldoon’s tragic cause of death has been confirmed after the soap star’s sudden collapse at the age of 57.
The Days Of Our Lives and Melrose Place actor died from a heart attack, according to official records, with several underlying health conditions also revealed.
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Patrick Muldoon, aged 57, died from a heart attack on April 19, as confirmed by his death certificateCredit: SplashContributing factors to his death included a hereditary coagulopathy disorder and a pulmonary embolismCredit: Getty
New details show Muldoon suffered a myocardial infarction – more commonly known as a heart attack – on April 19, as confirmed by his death certificate.
The document, released by the County of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Health, also listed contributing factors to his death.
These included a hereditary coagulopathy disorder, which affects blood clotting, and a pulmonary embolism – a dangerous blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow.
The actor was cremated on Tuesday, with his occupation listed as both actor and producer.
His sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, had earlier shared that he died of a heart attack, posting a touching tribute alongside a final video sent to family just hours before his death.
In the clip, Muldoon is seen joking while showing a painting at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
“As always, he jokes… and yet profoundly brings all things into one moment,” she wrote.
“The joke-ster, the artist, the football player, and the intensely spiritually connected, Jesuit educated, incredible being that is Patrick Muldoon. My best friend. The best brother/son/uncle/anyone could ever possibly ask for.”
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“I will have so much more to share as I know he loves this earthly realm and all he created within it,” she continued, “including all of the love and light his spirit is now receiving through all of you…. Surrounding you in light.”
Tributes also poured in from friends and co-stars, including actress Barbara Eden.
Patrick Muldoon as Austin, pictured with Days Of Our Lives co-star Christie Clark as CarrieCredit: GettyPatrick Muldoon – pictured in A Boyfriend For Christmas, 2005 – is set to have his final film released later this yearCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
“Patrick was a sweet man who was very personable,” she said.
“I enjoyed the time we spent between takes and just enjoying each other’s company in general during the production of the film. He made the experience even more fun.”
“While the passing of a loved one is never easy,” she added, “it is especially difficult when it’s unexpected and sudden as I understand Patrick’s was. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.”
Born in San Pedro, California, Patrick Muldoon shot to fame in the 1990s after launching his career while studying in the University of Southern California, where he also played football.
He first appeared on Who’s the Boss? before landing a role on Saved By the Bell after graduating in 1991.
His big break came as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, a role he originated between 1992 and 1995 before returning years later.
Muldoon later played villain Richard Hart on Melrose Place and starred in a string of TV movies.
On the big screen, he was known for playing Zander Barcalow in the 1997 sci-fi hit Starship Troopers.
His final film, Dirty Hands, is due for release later this year.
Away from the spotlight, Muldoon worked behind the scenes as an executive producer on a number of films and was also passionate about music, performing as lead singer of The Sleeping Masses.
Known as “Bobo” to loved ones, Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his parents, his sister and extended family.
Muldoon was also passionate about music and performed as lead singer for The Sleeping Masses, often seen playing guitar and entertaining friendsCredit: EPA
At the peak of the crackdown, carloads of masked immigration officers were a common sight in the streets of Minneapolis, while thousands of people were being arrested every week in Texas, Florida and California.
“Turn and burn,” top Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino called the strategy, with relentless displays of force and teams of agents descending on restaurant kitchens, bus stops and Home Depot parking lots.
In December, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents peaked at nearly 40,000 nationwide and were nearly as high the next month, according to data provided to UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project and analyzed by the Associated Press.
In late January, the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens by immigration officers and growing concerns over the government’s heavy-handed tactics led to a shake-up of top immigration officials. In the weeks that followed, ICE arrests across the country dropped on average by nearly 12%.
Polling has found the public felt the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota went too far, a factor that may have contributed to the abrupt firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in early March.
The numbers don’t follow the same pattern everywhere
Bovino, who swaggered through raid scenes in tactical gear and was the public face of the Trump administration crackdown, was pushed aside following the killings in Minneapolis of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Border advisor Tom Homan was then sent to the Twin Cities to chart a new course for immigration enforcement, and he announced the drawdown of immigration agents in the state on Feb. 4.
An AP analysis of ICE arrest records show the department averaged 7,369 weekly arrests nationwide in the five weeks after Homan’s drawdown announcement, , the most recent period for which data is available, down from 8,347 per week in the previous five weeks. Those arrest numbers were still higher on average than during much of the first year of President Trump’s second term, and were dramatically higher than during the Biden administration.
The numbers were not, however, uniform across the country.
ICE arrests rose significantly in Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and Florida during those five weeks, in some cases hitting their highest weekly count since the start of Trump’s second term.. In Kentucky alone, weekly arrests more than doubled, reaching 86 by early March.
Those increases were offset by steep drops in a handful of large states, including Minnesota and Texas.
Many arrested were not Trump’s ‘worst of the worst’
The Trump administration insists it is targeting the most vicious criminals living illegally in the U.S., and the president has referred to them as “ the worst of the worst.”
In some cases the description is accurate, but the reality is complicated.
Many of the toughest criminals taken into ICE custody were already in prison, but many others who were arrested have no criminal history.
Nationally, some 46% of the people ICE arrested in the five weeks before Feb. 4 had no criminal charges or convictions, dropping to 41% in the five weeks that followed.
Yet that’s still above the 35% weekly average for the time since Trump returned to office. And in a number of states, even after Feb. 4, the share of noncriminals being arrested went up, not down.
Has there been a change in approach?
Across the country, thousands of federal court filings offer an imperfect window into how the Trump administration’s deportation tactics remain in high gear, even if activity has waned.
Like the 21-year-old Honduran man with no criminal record who has filed a petition for release after being arrested Feb. 22 in a suburban San Diego traffic stop. The father of three U.S. citizen children — ages 5, 3 and 10 months — had been under ICE surveillance, the petition says, before officers in tactical gear pulled him over.
Or the 33-year-old Venezuelan woman, a well-known south Texas doctor who worked in a region designated as medically underserved, who was arrested earlier this month with her 5-year-old daughter, a U.S. citizen, on her way to her husband’s asylum hearing.
She was arrested, officials said, for overstaying her visa.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow with the research and advocacy group the American Immigration Council, says he sees signs of change in lower arrest and detention numbers but warns it’s too early to know if those shifts are permanent.
“The Trump administration says: ‘We’re not slowing down,’ ‘Nothing has changed,’” in immigration enforcement, he said. “But it’s very clear that they have pulled back from some of the tactics of Operation Metro Surge,” the crackdown that swept Minneapolis.
Kessler and Sullivan write for the Associated Press. Kessler reported from Washington and Sullivan from Minneapolis. AP reporters Elliot Spagat in San Diego and Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed to this report.